Former “The Hangover” alum and “Between Two Ferns” host Zach Galifianakis has closed a deal to star in Disney’s live-action remake of its 2002 animated feature “Lilo & Stitch”.
Dean Fleischer Camp (“Marcel the Shell With Shoes On”) is set to direct the project which is intended as a major release for the Disney+ service as opposed to a theatrical release. Don’t be too surprised if the studio changes up those plans though should they like what they see.
The Hawaii-centric story of the original told of the bond formed between a lonely human girl named Lilo and a blue dog-like alien named Stitch, who is engineered to be a force of destruction. Pursuing aliens, nosy social workers, and themes of family bonds figure into the proceedings.
Specifics of Galifianakis’ role are being kept under wraps. The studio is conducting a wide search for the actors to play Lilo and her older sister.
Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois wrote and directed the original with Chris Kekaniokalani Bright taking on scripting duties this time. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback are producing.
The marks Galifianakis’ first studio feature since 2018’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” the comedian and actor has mostly been sticking to TV since with “Baskets” on FX and various animated voice work.
He’ll soon be seen co-starring with Elizabeth Banks in “The Beanie Bubble” and in Susanna Fogel’s drama “Winner”
Source: THR
